How to Select Text When Acrobat Selection Tool Is Missing
Question details
The user is unable to locate the text selection tool in Adobe Acrobat DC to highlight and copy text.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to highlight, select, and copy text from a standard, unprotected PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The dedicated text-selection cursor or button is missing from the interface, preventing the user from easily selecting text.
Verify that your PDF document contains actual text layers and is not simply a scanned image, as scanned pages require OCR (Optical Character Recognition) before text can be selected.
Use the Hand Tool's Integrated Selection Behavior
In modern versions of Acrobat, the standard Hand tool doubles as a selection tool when hovered over text.
Adobe streamlined the Acrobat DC interface by integrating the text selection feature directly into the default Hand tool. You no longer need a separate button if you know how to trigger it.
Right-click anywhere on the open PDF document and select 'Hand Tool' from the context menu, or press the 'H' key on your keyboard.
Move your cursor over the text you wish to select. The hand icon will automatically change into an I-beam (text selection) cursor.
Click and drag to highlight the desired text. Once highlighted, right-click the selection and choose 'Copy' or press Ctrl+C.
Restore the Select Tool to Your Toolbar
Customizing the Quick Tools toolbar allows you to pin the Select tool back to your main interface for easy access.
Easily Select and Edit PDF Text with WPS Office
Skip the confusing toolbars and missing interface buttons. WPS Office includes a highly intuitive built-in PDF reader where selecting, copying, and editing text is instantly accessible right from the main menu.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the built-in PDF tool.
- 2. Access the Select Tool: Navigate to the Home tab where the 'Select' tool is prominently displayed on the ribbon.
- 3. Highlight and Copy: Drag your cursor over the desired text to highlight it effortlessly, then right-click to copy or apply edits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I select text in a PDF even when using the Select tool?
If you cannot select text even with the correct tool, the document might be a scanned image rather than a text-based PDF, or it may have security restrictions preventing text copying. You can check the document properties to view security limitations or run OCR to make scanned text selectable.
What is the keyboard shortcut for the Select tool in Acrobat?
In Adobe Acrobat, you can quickly switch to the Select tool by pressing the 'V' key on your keyboard. If you want to switch back to the Hand tool, press the 'H' key.
How do I turn off the automatic switch from Hand to Select tool?
Go to Edit > Preferences > General in Adobe Acrobat. Look for the option 'Make Hand tool select text & images' and uncheck it. This will stop the Hand tool from automatically changing to a text cursor when hovering over words.
